Rochester Institute of Technology - Techmila / Ramikin Yearbook (Rochester, NY)

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TECHMILA We invite you to view the Students and their at Rochester Institute of Technology in the year of 1954 A. D.

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Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday, RIT. That 125 years is a long time, but your life certainly has been an interesting one. Not far from where you now stand flows the Genesee River, which fostered your beginning. In 1829. Rochester was a little but bustling community which was concerned with other things besides culture. For- tunately, a group of citizens, led by Nathaniel Rochester, knew that to thrive and survive a town must have an appreciation of the arts as well as the basic essentials of life. They founded the Rochester Athenaeum, to fulfill this need. Thus you were born. Your first capacity was as a forum for discussion and reviews of items other than technical ones. As you grew and matured, many great people came to aid your cause—Henry Clay, jenny Lind, Daniel Webster—you flourished and thrived. Then the Civil War blanketed the country in bloody tumult. You stood grimly, but patiently through the tempest, and emerged safely. Then the Industrial Revolution hit the Flour City, and the old mills fell in the path of huge factories. A new and large generation needed education for the many, many positions these industries afforded. In 1891, you merged with the Mechanics Institute, combining both technical and non technical Fields. Not long after, George Eastman, the great philanthropist, donated the present Eastman Building which houses the Art and Design Department. Another great friend of yours, the late George Clark (who passed away last autumn), gave the Clark Building to house the Printing, Photography, and Mechanical Departments. The Mechanics Institute started a new type of education in 1912-the cooperative courses, whereby students combine practical work experience with studies. “Earn as you learn” is always a popular slogan with the perennially “broke” student! In 1944 you changed your name to Rochester Institute of Technology. New departments had come into your family—Retailing, Printing, Photography, and Chemistry-to join with the Electrical, Mechanical, Food, and Art Departments. Since 1944 the School for American Craftsmen and the Commerce Department have been added to complete the Institute in its present form. Even now you are blazing new trails, never becoming stagnant in your march ahead. Next year you will begin your program to award Bachelor of Science degrees to your students. Plans are being made for a new Expansion Program. A new Graphics Arts Building to house the expanding research in that field, a gymnasium for the sports enthusiasts, a student union building, and a men's dormitory arc all in the offing for the near future. For all the work that you have done, for all the work you will do to enrich and enlighten this community and its citizens, as well as representatives from many states and countries, once again we wish you, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, RIT ... Two

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